British Columbia’s Indigenous Business, First Nations Art and Applied Art + Design communities will be honoured through programs presented by the BC Achievement Foundation beginning with the nomination launch on June 1, 2021. June is Nominate Now! month and province-wide invitations to #nominatenowbc for all three programs are accessed through bcachievement.com.
“We encourage British Columbians to Nominate Now! and lift up models of success for all to follow,” said foundation chair, Anne Giardini, QC, OBC, OC. “The programming BC Achievement offers contributes to the province’s social, entrepreneurial and cultural landscapes while nurturing innovation. It is our profound privilege to share these stories,” she added.
Independent juries representing experts in each of the three program areas review the nominations and select the awardees who will be honoured through films and a social media celebration campaign in the Fall. Plans for the annual in-person presentation galas remain on hold as COVID protocols are evaluated.
BC Achievement is an independent foundation celebrating the spirit of excellence in our province and honouring the best of British Columbia. With a mission to honour excellence and inspire achievement its award programs pay tribute to exceptional people, doing exceptional work while inspiring others to build stronger and more engaged communities.
Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.
Indigenous Business Award (IBA) Program – Nominations Open: June 1 – 30
Honouring excellence and inspiring achievement in Indigenous business and entrepreneurship throughout the province. Serving as a catalyst for change and opportunity, the Indigenous Business Award (IBA) program aims to cultivate innovation while leveraging mutual interests. Creating an authentic space where collaborative and strategic partnerships can thrive together, awardee recognition gives voice to Indigenous entrepreneurship while modelling success.
Leigh Joseph, 2020 IBA Awardee states that it is crucial to acknowledge excellence and increase Indigenous representation in the business and entrepreneurship space. “Representation matters. The more Indigenous businesses that are successful, the more inspiration there will be for up-and-coming Indigenous entrepreneurs to pursue their entrepreneurial path. The more stories of resilience, strength and innovation that are shared from Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs the more we as a society shift the narratives
of trauma and deficit that are often at the forefront of news stories amid ongoing anti-Indigenous racism that exists in our country.”
The Indigenous Business Award program is presented by BC Achievement in partnership with the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation and is generously supported by: Program Sponsor – TD Bank Group; Category Sponsors – Enbridge, New Relationship Trust, Ovintiv Inc., Teck, Vancity, and Vancouver Fraser Port Authority; Supporting Sponsors – ANTCO, BC Hydro, BC Transit, CN, FortisBC, and Shaw; and Media Sponsors – BIV, CFNR and First Nations Drum.
Fulmer Award in First Nations Art – June 1 – July 7
Honouring excellence and inspiring achievement in First Nations Art throughout the province.
Celebrating the intersection of art and culture, while honouring First Nations artistic traditions, the program creates a platform for community engagement, mentorship and storytelling.
“I have been weaving, teaching, and researching the Northwest Coast textiles for more than 30 years. This is the first award acknowledging my many years in the art of weaving. The Fulmer Award is, at this point in my career, encouraging and validates my efforts in bringing the traditional arts of the textiles forward to future weavers as well as making the textiles more known in the milieu of indigenous arts.” Evelyn Vanderhoop, 2020 Awardee of Distinction, Fulmer Award in First Nations Art
BC Achievement is grateful to The Fulmer Foundation for its generous support of the First Nations Art program.
Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design Program – Nominations Open June 1 – July 14
Honouring excellence and inspiring achievement in Applied Art and Design throughout the province.
Celebrating British Columbians whose work directly contributes to the cultural and economic fabric of the province, the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design shines a light on functional art which enhances day-to-day life for individuals while enriching our collective experiences.
Karen Konzuk, reflects on the impact of receiving the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design in 2020. “It was a very exciting moment for me to hear I was recognized for my work, especially knowing this group of awardees was recognized for innovation. I feel this is a key element to my design that helps me to stand out from my competition.” She also feels it is important to acknowledge artistic excellence in applied art and design. “The world of art and design is extremely saturated and at times, it is hard to stand out. With social media and everything being digital there are a lot of copycats. To be recognized for the dedication we put into original design, attention to detail, and innovation brings us to the forefront and gives credibility to the work we have achieved.”
BC Achievement is grateful for the generosity of the Yosef Wosk Family Foundation toward the Carter Wosk Award program.
